TALBOT3430

Mount Edgcumbe ¹
Devonport.
15^th April 1874

My dear Henry

I behaved very badly to you in not answering your letter written so long ago – but I think it is the first time the omission has been on my side; & we have been very busy moving about &c – so you must forgive me for this time. You asked me to tell you what I knew about the Nicholls ² – I have not Harriot’s letter by me at this moment – but I remember she told me they would be very well off – & that £49000 was a large sum to be paid out of the estate – but then there are 8 children to provide for – of course not counting Johnnie nor Kate, ³ who is in a convent.

I remember the Daughters were to have more than the Sons – which I am glad of – as they have no means of maintaining themselves like their Brothers – & Lucy ⁴ is a terrible invalid.

We have been paying a visit lately at Tregothnan – a beautiful place up the river Fal – with miles of woods winding in & out of the creeks – & fine pleasuregrounds.

The Rhododendrons & Camellias are a sight to see – hundreds of them in the open air, covered with blossoms. Lady Falmouth ⁵ drove me to Carclew ⁶ one day. You know Sir Charles ⁷ left it to his Nephew, Co^l Tremayne – (brother of the new member) ⁸ – The house is exactly as it was, & looked very nice & well furnished – but he will be obliged to make some additions, having so many children.

The gardens there are very soignés ⁹ – & the hot houses. There is an excellent gardener. There is one splendid Tree Rhododendron, planted by Sir Charles – I should say 10 or 12 f^t high at least – covered with scarlet flowers. – But I was most charmed with the garden at Lamorran Parsonage, near Tregothnan. The clergyman, M^r Townshend Boscawen, is L^d Falmouth’s ¹⁰ brother – & is a perfect fanatico per i’ fiori. ¹¹ He is very poor & has 10 children – & does most of his gardening himself. He don’t [sic] care how untidy the place looks, provided the plants flourish – & they certainly do that – owing to good care & the mild climate, to an extraordinary degree. In a cold corner of the house, looking North, are 2 splendid Rhododendrons, one pink, the other white, covered with immense blossoms – the rest of the garden full of varieties of the same, a tall Chamærops Excelsa, ten f^t high I sh^d say, & a magnificent Taxodium – & he has only had the living 20 years.

We are here for a few days with Val, ¹² & have to make preparations f^r London so are in all sorts of fusses – Love to all

Y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline

Ernestine ¹³ had a nice letter from Rosamond ¹⁴ yesterday, for which she hopes you will thank her.